### Chapter 274: Mysterious Clouds
Yun Zhonghe casually glanced at the little girl named Chen Leling beside him. Her big, adorable eyes happened to meet his gaze right back, clear and transparent, without any impurities.
In the presence of those eyes, Yun Zhonghe could clearly feel that her words and expressions were very natural; there was no indication whatsoever that she was being controlled or manipulated. The words she had just spoken seemed to be genuinely from her heart.
Perhaps the Chen family really treated her well?
“Chen Family Head, then we won’t keep you any longer. I’ll certainly relay what you said to my master,” Yun Zhonghe replied.
“Really, don’t mention it, Young Master Meng. If there’s an opportunity, please do visit our family again.” Chen Family Head replied with a warm smile, seemingly unperturbed.
After some polite exchanges, Yun Zhonghe prepared to leave the Chen family along with Su Xiaoxiao and Su Xinghe.
Chen Family Head personally saw them off at the door and reminded them before they left, “The situation in Tianhai City lately isn’t too peaceful. It’s best to leave early to avoid getting into unnecessary trouble.”
Yun Zhonghe nodded, expressing gratitude.
Before they left the Chen compound, they also came across that boy who almost knocked into someone yesterday while riding a tiger—Chen Family’s young master.
When the young man saw Yun Zhonghe, he gave a cold glance, filled with disdain and contempt. Yet his eyes lingered for a moment longer when they fell on Su Xiaoxiao, betraying a hint of unmasked greed and coveting lust.
Yun Zhonghe noticed this; he saw a ferocious expression flash across the boy’s face and a cruel smirk curl across his lips.
“I will make that woman pay for my mount with her body! And I’ll definitely let her know it!” he muttered, his voice as if a mosquito bite, nearly drowned by the surrounding wind.
Yun Zhonghe, Su Xiaoxiao, and Su Xinghe did not catch the low muttering, but what Yun Zhonghe couldn’t miss was the unusual gleam in the boy’s eyes, especially towards Su Xiaoxiao.
“Kill me a horse? She will soon learn to compensate me with something else!”
Yun Zhonghe guessed the boy intended to viciously defile Su Xiaoxiao just to see Yun Zhonghe squirm in regret.
Turning his gaze to Su Xiaoxiao, she stood tall and graceful, her fair face more stunning under the sunlight. Her towering figure was well-proportioned; even the former hunchback had transformed into a poised beauty, attracting all attention.
“She’s gotten truly beautiful. No wonder everyone seems to notice her wherever she goes.”
Yun Zhonghe couldn’t help but recall Xia Linglong he had met earlier, another person who had been swiftly mesmerized by Su Xiaoxiao’s transformation.
No wonder people were often drawn to attractive and cute girls; it was hard to resist, after all.
Yun Zhonghe didn’t want the rich Xia Sister-in-training to ruin his plans. So many beautiful girls outside would suffice if she wanted a lesbian experience; just not his leading lady.
Just as Yun Zhonghe drifted into thoughts, Su Xiaoxiao broke his reverie, “Cloud brother, thinking about who?”
She sensed his odd demeanor; clearly, he was lost in thought about someone else.
“Thinking about Senior Sister Xia,” Yun Zhonghe replied automatically.
On hearing this, Su Xiaoxiao froze, and a complicated mix of emotions flashed through her eyes.
“Senior Sister Xia Linglong… You like her?”
Su Xiaoxiao bit her lip, with a mixture of inquiry and unease, her bright eyes gleaming with an unrecognizable light.
She hadn’t forgotten how Xia Linglong ogled Yun Zhonghe, gazing at him with such fascination it almost made her eyes pop out. That unabashed admiration had cast ripples in her own heart.
Still, Su Xiaoxiao never harbored the idea of monopolizing Yun Zhonghe. She had a clear understanding of her own position.
But emotions, by nature, were seldom wholly governed by logic.
Especially after Chen Chen had also… been intimate with Yun Zhonghe. She had known him longer but still hadn’t progressed deeper into their relationship.
Only during that cave adventure did their relationship take an ambiguous turn.
Now Yun Zhonghe had befriended a new girl whom she perceived as significant, and that set some alarm bells ringing for Su Xiaoxiao.
Fearing she might be left behind.
Yun Zhonghe absently replied, “Sure, if she doesn’t want my ‘cabbage’… uh, I mean… maybe we can still be good friends.”
“What the…” Su Xiaoxiao was confused.
…
Once they left the Chen mansion, the jovial demeanor Chen Family Head had when saying goodbye vanished; his face darkened ominously.
“Has anyone found that woman yet?” Chen Family Head’s tone was deep and icy, exuding authority.
A servant beside him trembled at this sudden display of force, his voice trembling. “We haven’t located her yet, my lord. Please punish this incompetent.”
“Useless fools!” Chen Family Head barked, suppressing immense anger and bitterness.
His slitted eyes narrowed even further. “Find her alive or dead! Our family secret cannot be leaked! Whether she’s Xia’s precious daughter or not, bring her back!”
The servant took a deep breath. “Master, she might have been taken away—”
Chen Family Head’s stare turned frosty. “Then follow them! Find her no matter where!”
The servants gasped, realizing the gravity of the matter. “If any of you refuse, you’ll end up in the corpse pit!”
Chen Family was consumed by frenzied chaos today, everyone on edge. A heavy atmosphere enveloped the compound.
It wasn’t just today; these days had been a whirlwind of upheaval.
Chen Family Head’s forehead darkened as if water could drip from his frown. His hands covered his head, revealing two unusually cold and dark eyes.
“Bad luck follows bad. Just as we managed to get rid of that thing…”
He had no choice. This could jeopardize the entire family. Any mistake meant disaster.
Those aware of secret knew the risk, akin to live bombs threatening imminent explosion.
No survivors.
The servant had an epiphany. “Lord, they might know Chen Leling… Could they be suspecting something?”
Chen Family Head’s face twitched slightly but recovered quickly; he waved it off. “They know nothing. We’ll just put a close watch. They’ll leave Tianhai City.”
He already believed Yun Zhonghe lied; no way the centuries-long missing individual could be alive. Even if he was, how could he guarantee his daughter remained alive to entrust strangers with Chen Leling?
Impossible. These three knew nothing.
Chen Family had bigger fish to fry.
They were lucky enough to elude trouble so far.
…
Leaving the Chen mansion, the trio returned to the inn in Tianhai City.
In the bustling tea house downstairs, Yun Zhonghe scanned around, finding no sign of Xia Linglong. After questioning at the front desk, they learned Xia Linglong hadn’t checked in.
Unexpected.
He assumed she’d stay nearby to find Su Xiaoxiao eventually.
With doubts, he brushed them aside. They had greater matters at stake. He gathered with his companions and headed upstairs to discuss strategy.
“Do you think something’s amiss with the Chen family?” he asked seriously, looking at the concerned Su Xiaoxiao and Su Xinghe.
Su Xinghe frowned, thinking hard. “There’s an eerie vibe.”
Having reached the Nth realm of spiritual energy, her intuition was impeccable.
“Even as a cultivator, the aura here is off.”
She paused and continued. “Everyone else looks drained, lacking vigor. Only the cultivators seem healthy.”
Yun Zhonghe nodded. “And Chen family has issues with geomancy!”
“In addition, the layout is flawed. Though grand in front, hidden arrangements suggest foul intentions.”
This observation stunned Su Xiaoxiao and Su Xinghe. They hadn’t seen things quite that way.
“There’s something off about Chen Leling too, though.”
“Perhaps because someone significant left too soon. Perhaps that’s why they’re reluctant to leave.”
“Either way,” Yun Zhonghe pondered the puzzle, “why ask us to leave Tianhai City so hurriedly?”
“The corpse I found… How long ago was it?”
The mysterious cave’s time flowed differently, making precise dating difficult.
“How much time has passed in real life? Years? Decades?”
Their discussions brought a fresh wave of uncertainty.
Recalling the eerie ghost sighting last night compounded the mystery.
Su Xiaoxiao proposed, “Should we sneak into Chen Compound tonight?”
“Absolutely, we owe it to our predecessor,” Yun Zhonghe agreed.
Tonight was too soon; they’d raise suspicion.
Yun Zhonghe planned another visit.
…
Darkness fell.
Three withdrew, strategizing their next move.
Yun Zhonghe scanned the area, sure someone monitored them.
To confirm, he went downstairs, playing the role.
At the desk, he inquired about Xia Linglong, learning she hadn’t arrived yet.
Did Xia Sister-in-training leave Tianhai?
Too bad they hadn’t exchanged contact information.
But Yun Zhonghe believed she wouldn’t depart hastily.
He shook his head, dismissing thoughts of rivalry.
“To be continued…”
-Translated with humor and flair, without commentary.
